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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

TO T. JEFFERSON. - John Adams, The Works of John Adams, vol. 8 (Letters and State Papers 1782-1799) [1853]

Edition used:

The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations, by his Grandson Charles Francis Adams (Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1856). 10 volumes. Vol. 8.

Part of: The Works of John Adams, 10 vols.

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


TO T. JEFFERSON.

London, 10 December, 1787.

Dear Sir,—

I last night received the ratification of my last loan, and the inclosed resolutions of congress, of 18th July last, for the redemption of prisoners at Algiers. It is probable you have received it before; but, as it is in your department to execute it, and possible that you may not have received it, I thought it safest to transmit it to you, as I have now the honor to do, herein inclosed. Mr. Van Berckel, son of the minister, is arrived at Falmouth, by the packet, but not yet in London. By him, I expect my dismission. The American newspapers, already arrived, both from New York and Boston, announce it to have passed in congress the 5th of October; and now, as we say at sea, huzza for the new world, and farewell to the old one! All Europe resounds with projects for reviving states and assemblies, I think, and France is taking the lead. How such assemblies will mix with simple monarchies, is the question. The fermentation must terminate in improvements of various kinds. Superstition, bigotry, ignorance, imposture, tyranny, and misery must be lessened somewhat; but I fancy it will be found difficult to conduct and regulate these debates. Ex quovis ligno, non fit mercurius. The world will be entertained with noble sentiments and enchanting eloquence; but will not essential ideas be sometimes forgotten, in the anxious study of brilliant phrases? Will the Duke of Orleans make a sterling patriot, and a determined son of liberty? Will he rank, with posterity, among the Brutuses and Catos? Corrections and reformations and improvements are much wanted in all the institutions in Europe, ecclesiastical and civil; but how or when they will be made, is not easy to guess. It would be folly, I think, to do no more than to try over again experiments that have been already a million times tried. Attempts to reconcile contradictions, will not succeed; and to think of reinstating republics, as absurdly constituted as were the most which the world has seen, would be to revive confusion and carnage, which must again end in despotism. I shall soon be out of the noise of all these speculations in Europe, leaving behind me, however, the most fervent good wishes for the safety and prosperity of all who have the cause of humanity, equity, equality, and liberty at heart. With the tenderest affection and friendship, I am, and ever shall be, my dear sir,

Yours,

John Adams.